Adult Learning

Many people find that the more they know about an art form, the more they enjoy it. The Cleveland Orchestra provides spoken, written, and audiovisual commentary on the music it performs, and it presents concerts in a variety of formats. Whatever your style of learning, you can easily find information about the music and the composers on the Orchestra’s programs.

Free Concert Previews — at Severance Hall

Cleveland Orchestra Concert Previews take place one hour prior to most classical subscription concerts at Severance Hall during our fall, winter, and spring seasons. These previews designed to enrich the concert-going experience for audience members of all levels of musical knowledge through interviews with conductors, guest artists, and Orchestra staff, and through exploration of the music by local and national experts.

This series is funded by a generous endowment gift from Dorothy Humel Hovorka.

Music Study Groups — in neighborhood locations

Unlock the magic of music with Cleveland Orchestra Music Study Groups led by Dr. Rose Breckenridge. Meet both new and experienced music lovers and explore the Orchestra’s ‘concert of the week’ through informal lectures, listening and discussion at one of our six convenient community locations.

The series covers the Severance Hall subscription season. Registrants may choose a length that best fits their schedules — selecting from fall, winter, and/or spring. The Listening Guide, a specially prepared booklet of program notes and musical themes from the current season’s featured compositions, is included in the registration fee.

Program Notes & Program Books

Printed program books are handed out free of charge at most Cleveland Orchestra concerts. These include information about the performance and performers, as well as program notes about the music and other information about the Orchestra's current and upcoming activities.

Printed program notes are intended to inform listeners about the composers’ lives and the historical background of the works performed at every subscription concert. They are written to encourage open-minded listening to new works and provide fresh insights for hearing familiar pieces. Program notes are usually available in advance online through this website.

To access program notes online, go to the Event Calendar and select the “More Info” button for the concert you are interested in, then select the "About the Music" or "Program Book" tab.

The Orchestra’s regular program books are funded through advertising. For more information,click here.

Meet the Artist Series

Meet the Artist series are a popular interview and luncheon program that connects audiences with artists from The Cleveland Orchestra’s current season.

For reservations, or to be placed on the Meet the Artist series mailing list, please call the Women’s Committee Office at 216-231-7557.

This series is presented by the Women’s Committee of The Cleveland Orchestra.

The Cleveland Orchestra Archives

The Archives of The Cleveland Orchestra is a working resource center that serves both the institution and the public. Its prime function is to organize, preserve, and promote the historical records of the institution, which includes The Cleveland Orchestra and its parent non-profit organization, the Musical Arts Association, as well as materials related to Severance Hall and Blossom Music Center.

The institution’s historical heritage is expressed in a wide variety of media such as documents, sound recordings, photographic materials, and artifacts. The Archives encourages an appreciation of the Orchestra’s historical heritage by making most of its non-current records open to serious researchers of any age.

Researchers are able to consult such materials as correspondence, press releases, a nearly complete set of programs, photos, recordings, scrapbooks, minutes and annual reports. In addition, various internal databases provide efficient access to information. Research inquiries can be made by mail, by phone, or by a scheduled visit with the Archivist.

From time to time, the Archives has a need for interns with historical, musical, research, and/or library background.